I must admit, when I read that we should pre-interview future pediatricians I felt a bit put upon. What a chore. I don't wanna'....
Now I feel like a private detective. And considering that my mother felt like our pediatric practice didn't really respect her as a mother until she was on her third child, I guess it does make sense.
Anyway, back to our detectiviness. Our choices were fairly limited, since Medicaid is our insurance (that's US-speak for 'government insurance if you're poor enough'). There were a couple of individual doctors I didn't even consider - I know enough to want a whole practice of physicians available to me. That left us with two. Hmm. Interesting. One is all male and the other all female. Huh - weird clue number one.
Interviewed male practice on Monday. Seemed okay. Mark and I were both put off, however, by some of the "art" displayed in the doctor's private office, though. It's fine to love golf, but a sign that says "I bought a set of golf clubs for my wife. It was the best trade I ever made" - well, it certainly says something (especially when you later reveal that you are still married - ouch!). However, since as a physician he seemed in line, I figured I could overlook that (and other offensive art depicting sexual harassment - I kid you not!!).
Tuesday, we met with the female practice. Less reading material for adults in the waiting room - of course, how many children are going to let a parent quietly read while they wait silently next to you for 20 minutes? So, we meet with a doctor. She just casually mentions that the women have all practiced together for a while now and recently decided to leave a larger practice and start their own.
Wait, which practice did you say you all left? You say it was the male practice we just visited yesterday?! Wha...?! Hmmm. Of course, we played it cool since that wouldn't be very professional, however, all the women up and leaving together does say something. Especially when male chauvinism was detected just on a very surface level at the male practice. Then she got into their working style and habits - hours, hospital visits, etc. - and I realized that this is a more worker-friendly environment. I might not be able to see my pediatrician in the hospital, but they have hospitalists that they work with, and this means my pediatrician has a life and likes it. And I like that - correction - Mark and I both like that, and we like supporting such choices (and a wise use of resources).
I'm glad we did the interviews. The female practice is further away, but for now (pre-baby), I'm willing to make the longer drive to support a healthier lifestyle choice.
We chose pediatricians that couldn't see Petunia at the hospital when she was born either. No big whoop. We just paid them a visit the day after we checked out of the hospital and used the staff pediatricians for the short time we were in the hospital.
I think you're right to trust your instincts. The pediatrician's office we ended up using was the one that we had never heard of - I found it by looking for offices close to home. After visiting a highly recommended office, I was put off by the practice chairman's comment about breastfeeding...'Breastmilk? Formula? Like the baby knows the difference.' We ended up going with a practice whose nurse practitioners are also lactation consultants, who were very supportive in those first few months.
Thanks, merseydotes. The practice we chose also has a lactation consultant (nurse) on staff. Her other job in the practice is to answer all the routine calls from parents that don't actually need a pediatrician's answer, but are things we lay people wouldn't necessarily know. I like that, too, because it means my questions will be answered quickly - and the pediatricians can focus on the serious questions, so those are answered more quickly, too.
Sounds to me that you're right on target with your choice of practice - it's great that they have a nurse to assist w/breastfeeding (specially for a newbie! - oh I remember so well...)
PS LOVE that jumper you're knitting - it's brilliant!
Oh, Noel, it does warm my heart so to see your occasional message! Love to you and Edward!
Mara, it's so exciting to hear about all this stuff! Not having gone through it myself, it's interesting to read your experiences as a "first-timer". And I like your knitting too :)
It is going to be weird when the baby is actually here- and not in your belly. It is starting to be more real.
uh... i want the next chapter!
I'll gear this review to 2 types of people: current Zune owners who are considering an upgrade, and people trying to decide between a Zune and an iPod. (There are other players worth considering out there, like the Sony Walkman X, but I hope this gives you enough info to make an informed decision of the Zune vs players other than the iPod line as well.)
you know what it is!! black and yellow, haha just kidding but this is a really good blog. Keep up the nice writing. I was quite impressed!
usted tiene un blog muy bonito. i se ha suscrito a su feed rss. mantener el buen trabajo:)
I absolutely adore your blog! I found this post to be very insightful.